New to Savannah and a “fairly new runner,” Mareesa Torres joined a local running club to train for the inaugural Savannah Rock ’n’ Roll Marathon last November.

She entered the full marathon as did her boyfriend, Mike Pangallo, a much more experienced runner. Torres suffered a foot injury beforehand, but that didn’t stop her. She switched to the less grueling but still challenging half-marathon.

The experience only motivated the 32-year-old attorney to do more. Now she and Pangallo, 33, are volunteer coaches with that second-year training program called C.R.E.W. (Collaborative Relationships, Empowering Workouts).

“This year let’s coach so we can give something back,” Torres said. “We had such a great experience, we had so much fun.”

She’s not alone, in more than one sense. The announcement of the 2011 Savannah Rock ’n’ Roll Marathon drove runners of all abilities to hit the streets of Savannah for months of training leading up to the November race, which drew about 23,000 registrants from around the country, with about 10 percent from the Savannah area.

And many locals chose not to live the loneliness of a long-distance runner, instead inflating the ranks of running clubs and benefiting from the perks of group dynamics.

“To be able to run with somebody and count on them to be there for you — the buddy system — instead of running alone, it’s an awesome experience. You become good friends,” said Sherry Feathers, 68, of Savannah, a runner for 11 years including at least 15 half-marathons.

“We were so excited and worked so hard in training. Just the idea it was coming to town, it was so exciting,” added Feathers, a member of both C.R.E.W. and the long established Savannah Striders. “I don’t know which shirt to wear in the (2012) race.”

Striders president Tharon Lambert reported in October 2011 that membership had swelled from 80 to 338 in the months since the marathon was locked on the calendar. One year later, Lambert reported 465 members as of Wednesday. He wasn’t sure if that was an all-time high for the club, which originated in 1978, he said. It is the most in Lambert’s 10 years with the Striders, and he gives credit to the marathon, part of a national series of races characterized by live music along the course and at the postrace party.

“We still feel the buzz and the excitement,” Lambert said. “The growth is more regular. It’s not as drastic. Maybe we average 15 (new members) a month. Before it came at one time, a huge volume of growth.

“It’s still increasing, but it’s more incremental. We can handle that.”

Need a bigger room

The Striders have outgrown their usual place for monthly meetings, a room at the Exchange Tavern & Restaurant on Waters Avenue. They’ve moved to the nearby Asian River Restaurant on Eisenhower Drive.

Lambert notes that the Striders have experienced some churn, as members move out of town, such as military personnel, or they have other priorities, or perhaps joined only for guidance for their first marathon. But that’s neither unusual nor unexpected, he said, noting that after the novelty of any first big race, numbers can decline.

Still, he sees more people out on the streets and in the parks running and can “feel that buzz happening” as the 2012 race approaches Nov. 3.

Torres sees it in the novice runners she coaches. They committed to a five-month program, running three times a week while also learning about running equipment, posture, breathing, proper nutrition and rest, and more. It’s been an attitude adjustment.

“In the beginning, they say, ‘I’m not really sure about this, I’m not really a runner, I can’t imagine running 6 miles,’ ” said Torres, who moved to Savannah in April 2011 and has four official half-marathons to her credit.

Now, months later, “They’re much more confident,” she said. “There’s a little more anxiety creeping in now that the run is coming up, but it’s excited nervousness.”

Ready to rock

The first Rock ’n’ Roll marathon created a momentum that has carried over into this year, said Robert Espinoza, the owner/operator of Fleet Feet Sports Savannah, a running shoe, apparel and accessories store and the creator of C.R.E.W.

“I think the excitement has built even more,” Espinoza said. “I think what happened last year was lots of folks sat on the sidelines to see what it’s all about. This year people have gotten involved.

“The second year always is a little bit more exciting for the locals. A lot of them are volunteering or running.”

Those who ran their first full marathon last November not only crossed it off their bucket lists, Espinoza said, but might have proclaimed “never again” because of the toll a 26.2-mile run takes on the body.

Three weeks later, however, they might have reconsidered. They may have “marathon fever” and the desire to see if they can better their time.

“The first year is always new for a marathoner. The second year now you have a number,” he said.